HB4969 Summary

• Allows public utilities to apply for expedited review of certificates of public convenience and necessity for new high voltage electric service lines not exceeding 25 miles in length across privately owned real estate.

• Excludes from "privately owned real estate" any right-of-way owned in fee simple, subject to an easement, or controlled by a public utility.

• Requires applications to include detailed engineering data, project information, $100,000 application fee, and evidence of 3 pre-filing public meetings in each affected county with newspaper notice published weekly for 3 consecutive weeks.

• Sets Commission decision deadline at 150 days after filing, extendable by 75 additional days if good cause is found by the 30th day after filing.

• Changes eminent domain review timeline from 45 days to 365 days when a utility seeks eminent domain powers after the Commission issues a certificate order, and establishes $20,000 per mile construction fee for each county.